Standard disclaimers apply!

I do not own Harry Potter. I have nothing to do with Scholastic, Warner Bros or Bloomsbury. I'm not JKR and I am certainly not making any profit out of this.

Night.

Ron could hear Hermione's light, even breathing through the mirror. He couldn't see anything, no matter how hard he stared. It was black as pitch. Still, he knew she was there and that was good.

He couldn't sleep though, which was a bit of a problem ... especially because he had to be up in a few hours for an early breakfast and then straight to work.

A cup of tea probably wasn't the best idea at that time of night, but at least it was something to do. He didn't bother tip-toeing on the way down to the kitchen; he was the only one left at home now that Harry was back at Auror training, and his Mum and Dad only woke up if there was a racket.

Cradling his favourite mug in both hands, he stared out the kitchen window. Even the gnomes and fairies had called it a night. It was so quiet that he could hear the gurgle of the river.

He contemplated going outside for a bit, but decided against it. It was a bit cold.

"You going to just stand there all night or what?"

"SHIT!" Ron nearly dropped his mug and whipped around to glare at Fred's Portrait. "You trying to give me a heart attack or something?"

"Sorry," Fred sniggered, not looking particularly repentant. "How would you prefer to me to announce myself?"

"I don't know," Ron retorted, "you could have coughed first or something. What are you doing here anyway? You're usually at George's overnight."

"Yes well." Fred smirked. "George and Angelina are busy at the moment."

"Busy?" Ron raised his eyebrows. "So that's what the kids are calling it these days? The shop wasn't far enough away then?"

"No." Fred said bluntly. "Oh! Geooooorge!" he cried in a high pitched tone, "OOOOOH! GEEEEORGE!"

"Shut it!" Ron smothered a laugh. "You'll wake Mum and Dad!"

"It's worse than that," Fred snorted and deepened his voice. "Angie! ANGIE! Oh god AAAAANGIEEEEE!"

"Ugh." Ron shuddered. "I think I've heard enough."

"Hence, why I am here." Fred looked at the mug in Ron's hands enviously. "What I wouldn't give for a cup of tea."

"You get thirsty?" Ron finally sat at the table and looked up curiously.

"Nope. I don't get hungry, either," Fred told him, "I just feel like it."

"Hmm." They fell silent for a few moments. "There's that painting with the fruit and flowers in the front room," said Ron. "Why don't you see if you can grab an apple or something?"

Fred disappeared out of view for a few seconds and then slid back into his frame holding an apple and a banana. "Didn't really want the roses," he grinned and took and experimental bite of the apple. "It's alright," he shrugged, "like apple flavoured kids paint."

"Better than a wand in the eye," Ron suggested and then brightened. "Leave it with me."

"Leave what with you, Ronniekins?"

"Hermione did this thing, while we were ... camping," Ron looked unhappy for a moment, but seemed to shake himself out of it. "She had the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black in her bag -"

"Who?" Fred interrupted, settling down to lean his elbows on his frame.

"Sirius' great great grandfather or something," Ron said vaguely, "you know the one, his portrait was at Grimmauld Place and Hogwarts."

"That grumpy old codger with the pointy beard?"

"Yeah, him." Ron nodded. "Anyway, she used a charm to put a blind-fold over his eyes when she took his portrait out. He couldn't get it off either. I'll ask her how she did it."

"Ear plugs might be the better option," Fred sniggered.

"Oh, haha. The point was maybe I can put something in there for you."

"You think you're up to that?" Fred looked sceptical.

"I think I could manage," said Ron dryly. "George has taught me a lot."

Fred tilted his head to one side and studied Ron carefully. "The way I hear it, it was the other way around."

"Bollocks," Ron snorted, tapping his mug for a refill.

"I don't think so." Fred's voice took on an unusually soft edge. "I know everything."

"Everything about what?" Ron looked curious.

"Everything about everything," Fred chuckled.

"How?"

"I don't know how," Fred admitted, "I just do."

"Can I ask you something?" Ron flushed, but kept his gaze steady.

"Sure." Fred shrugged. "Doesn't mean I'm going to tell you."

"What's it like? Don't you get bored? Are you really, well, you?"

Fred was silent and took his time in peeling the painted banana. "Yeah, I'm me ... feels weird though," he rubbed his fingers together experimentally; "I suppose I feel like paint." He took a bite of the banana and grimaced slightly. "This tastes like banana flavoured paint."

"And?" Ron prompted.

Fred took even longer to answer this time. "I haven't got bored yet ... I sort of ... go ... when no one's around. Or if I don't have a purpose in mind."

"How does that work?"

"I dunno actually," Fred admitted. "It took me a while to even notice. I'd be talking to George and then he'd go to bed, so I'd go have a look around the shop for a while ... next thing I know its hours later and the sun's up. It's a bit weird, to be honest."

"Do you remember ... before?" Ron asked in a hushed voice.

"Before?" Fred shot Ron confused look. "I remember life, if that's what you mean. Otherwise I wouldn't be bothered sitting here talking to you."

"That's not what I mean." Ron frowned. "I suppose I mean between?"

"That's much clearer," Fred mocked. "Spit it out."

"Fine." Ron sighed. "Do remember the time between being killed and then being painted?"

"You ask deep questions grasshopper," Fred said evasively.

"Huh?"

"You need to watch more muggle movies," Fred chuckled, "and you with a muggle-born intended and everything." He laughed at the look on Ron's face. "I told you I know everything!"

"Well you can keep that to yourself, thanks very much," Ron muttered.

"They already know," Fred grinned. "Mum doesn't miss a trick."

"Bloody fucking hell," Ron rubbed his face with his hands. "That's not good. How long have they known?"

"Since the day you gave Hermione the ring, you romantic old dog, you!"

"Shut up," Ron mumbled. "How much trouble are we in?"

"Ooooh, you've got no idea, mate!" Fred laughed.

"Shit, shit, shit!" Ron clutched his hair. "I'd better warn Hermione."

"Oh, relax you stupid git." Fred laughed again. "They're fine ... well, Dad wasn't thrilled at first. Makes him feel old and decrepit, but Mum talked him 'round."

"Mum did?" Ron's eyebrows shot into his hair. "What the hell is going on around here? I thought she was going to have kittens when I told her about Hermione and me moving to Grimmauld Place at the end of the year, but Dad took it really well." He laughed suddenly. "HE thought I'd knocked Hermione up, of all things."

"Well, it looks like you're in the clear for now." Fred told him. "What I'd like to know, though, is what the hell bought it all on?"

"Bought what on?" Ron looked blank.

"This new and improved responsible Ron," Fred clarified. "I can hardly even wind you up anymore. What the hell is going on?"

Ron shrugged. "You know, stuff."

"Stuff?" Fred looked put out. "What stuff?"

"You said you know everything," Ron challenged, a slight smile crossing his face, "you tell me."

"OK fine." Fred huffed impatiently. "I don't know EVERYTHING, as such. I just hear a lot and know how to put two and two together. Happy?"

"Yup."

"The stuff?" Fred leaned forward. "Come on, you can tell me."

"There's nothing to tell," Ron said bluntly. "I love her, she loves me -"

"Has someone checked her for brain damage?" Fred cut in.

"Do you want that cup of tea or not?"

"OK, sorry. Go on. You love her, and she loves you ..." Fred prompted, attempting to look angelic.

"And that's all there is," said Ron. "It's not that complicated."

"Right." Fred looked sceptical. "OK then. What are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep," said Ron promptly.

"Why not?"

"No reason," Ron shrugged, "it happens sometimes."

"Not lately though," Fred suggested. "I've been here a fair bit over the last couple of weeks. George and Angelina have been at it like you wouldn't believe."

"Yeah, well, Hermione was around, wasn't she?" Ron sighed.

"Aaaah. So you were otherwise occupied."

Ron just nodded.

"So what's on your mind?"

"Do you LIKE being in that portrait?" Ron asked suddenly. "Or would you rather have been left alone?"

"Nah, it's good." Fred said promptly. "It's not the same as being there, but it's pretty close and at least I can keep an eye on you lot."

"What about before you were painted? Could you see us or what?"

"I dunno. I suppose I must have done, because nothing came as a surprise to me when I was painted ... but I really can't remember."

"So it's like you've been split in two?" Ron asked. "So now one of you is here and the other is ... wherever you are?"

"It must be something like that." Fred looked thoughtful. "I'll tell you the weirdest thing, when I was being painted. It started out as an outline, right? So I could hear little bits and pieces of conversation – mostly Dad and Harry, and as I was filled in I could hear more and more."

"Really? That's really ... it must have been weird."

"I just said that, didn't I?" Fred scoffed. "It was a bit frustrating too, especially at the end, because I wanted to talk but it wouldn't work until there were enough layers ... and then I couldn't talk properly until my face was finished."

"I'll bet you were a right pain in the arse," Ron said, "who painted you?"

"Uhhhh ... an old guy, had an accent ... Oleg Levanov. Ever heard of him?"

Ron shook his head slowly. "Doesn't ring a bell. Is he in Diagon Alley?"

"Yeah, he is," Fred nodded. "Nice bloke. Likes a bit of a drink. Says he's getting on a bit, and he's looking around for an apprentice to train up for when he drops of the perch."

"He told you that?" Ron laughed.

"Why not?" Fred shrugged. "He lives on his own, who else has he got to talk to beside his work?"

"Wow. That's ... really depressing actually." Ron refilled his mug yet again. "No family?"

"His wife died about 20 years ago, apparently, and they didn't have any kids. So if you know anyone ..."

"I'll ask around," Ron nodded.

"Hang on a minute," Fred's head disappeared from the side of his frame and then reappeared a moment later. "They've finally stopped," he heaved a sigh of relief.

"Blimey," Ron looked slightly revolted but also faintly impressed, "that's more than I ever needed to know about George and Angelina's staying power."

"You and me both mate," Fred shuddered elaborately, and then smiled a far gentler smile than he ever had in life. "Go to bed, Ron. George had a new idea last night, and he's going to work you and Lee like dogs today."

"Did he?" Ron smiled too. "That's good." Standing from the table, he let his mug float to the sink and they both watched it wash itself and then put it away. "See you at breakfast, Fred."

"Yeah, see you at breakfast," Fred agreed. "It's been nice talking to you."

"You too."

oOo

Ron slid quietly into bed and listened carefully for Hermione's light even breathing. "How long have you been awake?" he whispered.

"Only a couple of minutes," her voice floated toward him. "Crookshanks."

"Ah." Ron stifled a yawn. "Wanted to go out or come in?"

"Go out," he heard her yawn too. "On the up side," she murmured, "at least now I've got my blankets back. He's even worse than you."

Ron half laughed and turned onto his side, facing the mirror despite the fact he still couldn't see anything. "Sorry."

"That's quite alright," she told him. "Where did you get off too anyway? Are you not sleeping again?"

"Just having a chat with Fred," said Ron. "I'm alright, just had a bit of trouble switching my brain off. Nothing a cup of tea didn't fix. Go back to sleep, and I'll see you in the morning."

"OK." She yawned again and he could tell from just one word that she was already half-way gone. "Love you."

He listened to her breathing change back to that of sleep, now not so far away from it himself.

A brother in a portrait and a girlfriend in a mirror. Better than nothing at all, I suppose. "Love you too."

That's it for a couple of days. I've got a couple of projects I need to sort out for school.

*insert broken record here* The reviews are fab! Thanks heaps for letting me know if you're enjoying it and such!